It’s two weeks into the New Year and at the point at which many resolutions have fallen by the wayside.

For example, are you still working out? Be honest.

The top reason people give for not exercising is lack of time, and parents tend to really lean on this excuse—myself included.

There is no doubt about it that kids can take up a lot of your time, especially if you have small children. But is there really no time for exercise?

This week, I asked our local Patch Parent Council and other parents to share how they make time for fitness while raising kids:

• Make yourself a priority.

When it comes to making time for exercise, women tend to work out less than men. According to a study by researchers at Saint Louis University’s School of Public Health, “Family priorities were a main barrier to physical activity in all (ethnic and income) groups (of women)” studied.

“Having multiple roles as wife, mother, daughter, and as an active community member was mentioned as time-consuming and difficult, leaving little time or energy for exercise,” said the study’s authors.

Barb Besse of Alamo, however, says she sees regular time set aside for fitness as a “de-stresser” that gives her more energy to juggle all her roles. “A happy mommy means a happy family,” she said. 

Tina DeMattia, a marriage and family therapist in Danville and mother of two boys, says she has struggled to find a fitness approach that fits her busy life, but she keeps working at it because she sees the benefits—more energy, and a sense of accomplishment.

“Feeling better and stronger has been very motivating,” she said.

•  Get up early and get it done—no excuses

“All the moms that I know do their workouts before the kids wake up,” says DeMattia.

Erin Edward of San Ramon agrees: “I have to roll out of bed and 'just do it' or it doesn't work for me.”

Edward says she and her husband have to switch off getting out of the house in the morning to fit in a fitness routine, or she simply gets up even earlier than he does to make the time.

Melissa Parker of Danville also prefers getting up and getting in her workout in early. “By the time I get home my husband and kids are starting to get up and we all get ready for school, work, and the day ahead,” she said.

DeMattia also says she has found that for her, setting a routine time to workout and sticking to it helps her to stay committed.

“Pick a time that is realistic for your schedule and commit,” she said. “Whenever I have had wiggle room, I wiggle right out of exercise and right into a bag of chips and a beer!"

• Don’t tie exercise to a gym

Another stumbling block to getting a consistent workout in is access to, or aversion to the gym.

Sure it's vanity, but many women feel that if they aren’t looking so cute, they are not keen to don their workout gear and step up to a machine next to “Ms. Fitness.” Plus, some of those machines can feel like you need a scientific degree to operate it. 

“I am not a gym person,” Besse said. “I have never found (exercise) to be a chore because I typically only do the kinds of things that I like to do.”

Besse opts for outdoor activities she enjoys, like swimming, hiking and biking. If she goes indoors, it’s for a good yoga class, or an exercise video.

As a busy father of two sets of twins, Michael McGinley of Danville finds opportunities for exercise while also getting things done.

“When my car needs service, I’ll drive it to the repair shop and then jog or roller blade home,” McGinley said.

Amy Dennis, of Danville, tries to make it a habit to walk with her sons to and from school.

Other parents advised finding workouts that you find fun, such as Zumba, dancing or hula-hooping.

• Partner up

Accountability and support are also two factors that support an ongoing habit of fitting in time for fitness.

“I think having a friend, neighbor or partner to do exercise with you is crucial,” said DeMattia.

DeMattia says she’s "tried everything,” and what she has found success with is doing the a DVD workout program early each morning with her husband.

She says they found that making time for exercise together not only got them both fit, but also improved their relationship.

• Involve the kids

Sometimes despite your best efforts, there is just not always going to be kid-free moments to get a workout in.

Local parents address that challenge by involving their kids in activities where they all can get some exercise together.

Edward’s daughter loves to do Pilates with her, while McGinley will take his kids out for at least part of his workouts.

“I will jog or walk with them for the first half-a-mile to a mile and then escort them home where my wife can watch them, “ he said.

Besse has taken her kids on bike rides since they were small in her bike trailer, and now they ride their own bikes. They will regularly head to school, the park, or the store, all by pedal power.

Other parents said they swim together, do yoga together at home with a kid-friendly program, or play active games like Just Dance on a game console.

Many noted that they try to exercise as a family in hopes that their kids will make less of those “get active” New Year’s resolutions for themselves in the years to come.

How do you make time for fitness as a parent?

Correction: In a previous version of this column, Michael McGinley's residence was listed as Alamo. He lives in Danville. This version of the story corrects that error.